Regulator



June 14,1927. 1,632,055

\ L. CAMPBELL, JR

REGULATOR Filed Nov. 16. 1925 INVENTOH I ATTOR/V rs Patented June 14, 1927.

UNITED STATES" PATENT; QFFICE.

LORN CAMPBELL, 31%, OF MINNEAIOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE HARRIS CALOgIFIC COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA- TION or onto.

REGULATOR.

This invention relates to fluid pressure regulating valves, sometimes termed pressure reducing valves, of the character adaptable especially for use in the regulation of higher gas pressures such as may be en j countered, for instance, in oxyacetylene a spring-pressed diaphragm, under the in fluence of gas pressure controls the inlet. In

know'n regulators of this type one inherent disadvantage, affecting the sensitiveness of operation has been the imposition of a lateral component of force on the controlled ele ment which tends to arrest its free movement and make its "action jerky. One of the principal objects of the present invention,

- specifically, is to apply the spring pressure to the controlled element along a line coincident with its axis of movement so that the controlled element is free from all other forces which might tend to cock it and check its movement. In accordance with this objectof the invention the actuating spring is connected operatively to the diaphragm through means which afford capacity for universal movement thnrebetween and which insure the application of thespring pressure on the axis of movement of the. con trolled element. --The result achieved is supplemented by providing a'similar connection between the actuating spring and the means for adjusting its tension so that the spring floats between the last named means and the diaphragm and has full capacity for selfalignment when moving in either direction.

A second object of the invention, specifically, is to incorporate within the device certain safety features by which the d-iaphragm is protected against undue extension and is safely sheared in case of rupture. The

limitstop provided for the diaphragm 1S carried directly thereby and is itself disposed on the axis of movement or the controlled element and advantage is taken of the internal structure of the gas chamber to provide an abutment for the stop. Similar- Application filed. November 16, 1925. Serial No. 69,302.

ly,' the shearing points are self-embodied within the bonnet and are so disposed with relation. to the diaphragm and the vent holes as to lie most effective in shearing the diaphragm in case of emergency.

Still another object of the invention is ferent standards. In accomplishing this object ground seats'are provided and so disposed with relation to the regulator and the gas connection as to insure a gas tight fit when the parts are brought together. The connection itself includes a union nut of appropriatesize to engage the gas connection.

In order to increase the efliciency of devices of this character means are incorporated within the nozzle to filter the gas, the location of the screen having certain distinct advantages in operation not heretofore realized.

vThese and'other objects of the invention will appear more particularly hereinafter as the description proceeds in connection with the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the'improved regulator showing clearly the relation of parts.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. y I

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. i

The invention is not to be limited to the conventional design details of gas regulators since the improvements may be embodied, in whole or in part in regulators of other types than that illustrated in the drawings. However, for the purpose of this application and in accordance with the practical results secured in operation it is preferred to set forth a disclosure of a particular type of gas regulator now in general use in oxyacetylene welding. Such a type comprises generally a chamber a having secured thereto a bonnet 6 between which is located an expansible diaphragm c the movement of which under the influence of the gas pressure within the chamber a is controlled by a spiral spring d mounted back of the diaphragm within the bonnet b and adjusted r in tension by the hand screw 0. An inlet on the diaphragm 0. A guide member 9 is extended in line with the nozzle 7" and fits slidably within a sleeve 0" which may be threaded into the end wall of the casing a. Movement of the valve 9 and the guide 9 is subs antially along the axis of the regulator. he use of a spiral spring such as d to move the valve seat 9 has heretofore resulted in the imposition of a lateral component of force on the valve and its guide 9 since spiral springs where seated on flattened ends inevitably set up unbalanced forces. Obviously, unless the entire force of the spring is impressed-on the valve 9 in a 'l1ne coincident with its line of movement the guide 9 will tend 'to be cooked and its free movement resisted. In accordance with the present invention the sprin d is seated on plates 72. and 2' which are fbrmed centrally with concave sections. One of the plates 11. engages the'pointed or rounded end 6 of the adjustable spring stop 6 while the other plate 11 seats similarly on the pointed or rounded end 0 of a stud carried with the diaphragm a. Practically point contacts are thus secured for the sprlng seats 71., 2', so that they may swivel freely on their respectiveabutments and thereby enable the spring to be self-aligning during its movements. The abutments e, 0, are substan tially on theaxis of movement of the valve 9 which is likewise the axis of the spring (1. Since the force of the spring is transmitted to the diaphragm and the valve g along a line coincident with the axis of movement "result in a permanent set. In the improved regulator a positive limit stop of simple form. is provided .to check the movement of the diaphragm. The yoke or arm 9' which carries the valve 9 may be conveniently secured to the diaphragm by forming a stud g at its end which extends axially through the diaphragm and is threaded to receive a binding nut 0 the end of which may constitute the abutment for the spring plate 2', as here tofore described. In line with the stud seat 9 the emay be formed a boss g which extends in the reverse direction and is of such size and relation to the boss f on the inner wall of the chamber a as to engage this boss and resist the movement of the diaphragm after it has traveled a predetermined extent.

Provision is made as a safety measure for rupturing the entire diaphragm 0 in case it is punctured under excessive gas pressure or otherwise. It has heretofore been proposed to accomplish some such shearing of the diaphragm but the means employed have not been effective in action, .In, accordance with the present invention it is proposed to provide a plurality of shearing members 03 directly on the inner wall of the bonnet b and opposite the respective vent holes 6 therein. These points Z) extend longitudinally of the bonnet and are presented directly to the diaphragm 0 so that in case of excessive movement by it such as would result in case of puncture or disintegration it will be impinged sharply on the points disposed around the inner Wall of the bonnet. greater the pressure the more certain the action of the points. Their disposition at right angles to the surface of the diaphragm and opposite the vent holes makes them effective instantly.

It is the. usual practice under the high pressures now prevailing to seal the gas inlet connection by soldering. This offers a very decided disadvantage in practice since it interfe'res with disconnectionforpurposes of replacement or repair. Another condition in the art which has imposed a burden on the operator is the lack of standardization in The v regulator connections.

been carried in stock for attachment to various types of gas connections. The conditions described are corrected it is believed by the improvements. illustrated herein wherein only a short adapter is employed as an intermediate connection between the regulator and the source of gas. This adapter comprises generally a short pipe connection is havlng a co-operating union nut Z. The gas inlet opening f is formed with a ground seat f and the adapter ipe is has a complementary end which is a apted to be brou ht into gas ti ht seating contact therewith w en the pipe is threaded into the regulator. At the other end of the short i e la a similar spherial surface-7c is provi e for co-operation with the end of any type of connection The result has been I that regulators with special fittings have (not illustrated) with which the union nut I may be enga ed. The joints thus formed are gas tight and conveniently effected. Adapters of the character described may be carried in stock with suitable threading and suitable union nuts to afford ready connec-' 7 tion between gas pipes and regulators of varying designs, shapes and sizes.

Screening of the gas to protect the valve seat against foreign particles is accomplished by incorporating a screen m directly withinthe nozzle P so that all such foreign par-' ticles are arrested at a point just before they reach the valve seat g. Such disposition of a filter has especial advantage when carried in a removable nozzle f since it may be readily inspected for cleaning or replacement.

A pointed out hereinbefore changes in detail of design and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive thought in the various improvements specifically de-.

scribed in so far as the matter is the nended claims. What I claim is:

1. In a pressure reducing valve, in combicovered by nation with a casing and a bonnet, said bonnot having a plurality ofvent holes formed therein, a movable diaphragm, mounted therewithin between the casing and the bonnation with a casin and a bonnet, said bonnet having a plura ity of vent holes formed therein, a movable diaphragm mounted therewithin between the casing and the bonnet, a

plurality of shearing points formed inte-- grally on'theinner wall of the bonnet and disposed in line with the vent holes and at. rig tangles to the diaphragm and adjacent to and around its perimeter, a removable nozzle member threaded into the inlet of the valve, said nozzle member being formed with a restricted passage for the nozzle, and a filter positioned directlyv within the nozzle member and immediately adjacent the restricted passage.

This specification signed this 12" Nov. A. D. 1925.

LORN CAMPBELL, JR.

day of 

